The organisation said the event had enjoyed an ‘overwhelming interest, given the amount of rainfall in the last few days.’ From Thursday to Sunday, visitors were able to take in impressive old sailing ships, modern navy vessels and scores of demonstrations.

Although they are different in scope, the ideas behind Sail Den Helder and the Royal Netherlands Navy Open Days are the same: to show people what life at sea was and is like and what it is that makes living and working at sea so captivating.